Zurich

Zurich (Ger. Zürich), a northern canton of Switzerland, drained by the Rhine and its tributaries, and traversed from NW. to SE. by ridges of lofty hills, between which lie three valleys, forming almost its whole surface—those of the Toss, the Glatt, and the Limmat. The last drains the beautiful Lake of Zurich, which, lying 1341 feet above sea-level, is 25 miles long, and 2½ miles broad at the widest. Zurich has not a fertile soil, but it is carefully cultivated. Zurich was one of the earliest seats of the cotton manufacture in Europe, and the spinning and weaving of cotton are still prosecuted with great success. The silk industry is nearly as important; and machinery, bells, type, paper, &c. are also manufactured. Area, 666 sq. m. Pop., German-speaking and Protestant, (1870) 284,786; (1897) 392,945.